The much-anticipated arts and community hub in Barwon Heads has been completed ahead of schedule.
On Friday June 10, Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville visited the completed Barwon Heads Arts and Community Hub, supported by $1 million from the state government to connect the community with the local creative industry. The project was an election commitment from 2018.
The old kindergarten site on Clifford Parade was refurbished and turned into a community space to support the visual arts, music, drama, theatre, dance, poetry and literature communities across the Bellarine Peninsula.
Parking was also upgraded as part of the project, along with a new outdoor arts studio and social space to give local artists more opportunities to showcase their work.
“I’m so pleased to see this much anticipated project completed and I look forward to seeing it benefit the community across the Bellarine,” Minister Neville said.
“The completion of Barwon Heads Arts and Community Hub means so much to this community, providing a key area for local talent to share their creative work.
“This hub will bring people together to enjoy the creative arts while supporting local jobs, unlocking the potential of local visual, performing and literary artists on the Bellarine Peninsula.”
The hub’s creation was strongly backed by the community, after the Barwon Heads Association advocated for retaining the site as a community asset. Barwon Heads Arts Council Needs Analysis then identified its potential.
Geelong-based construction firm Plan Group completed the works, supporting 16 jobs during construction, with local company Four18 Architects completing the designs.
Volunteer group Barwon Heads Arts Council will operate the hub with the aim to make the arts a focal point for the Bellarine Peninsula. The hub will progressively open to the community in coming months once furniture and artist equipment has been moved in.
Barwon Heads Arts Council focuses on promoting the arts through workshops and events, while also supporting the creation of the hub to connect the local community.
